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Every investor would love to stumble upon the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that provides everything you could possibly want?

One thing's for sure: You'll never discover truly great investments unless you actively look for them. Let's discuss the ideal qualities of a perfect stock and then decide whether lululemon athletica fits the bill.

The quest for perfectionStocks that look great based on one factor may prove horrible elsewhere, making due diligence a crucial part of your investing research. The best stocks excel in many different areas, including these important factors:

Growth. Expanding businesses show healthy revenue growth. While past growth is no guarantee that revenue will keep rising, it's certainly a better sign than a stagnant top line.

Margins. Higher sales mean nothing if a company can't produce profits from them. Strong margins ensure that company can turn revenue into profit.

Balance sheet. At debt-laden companies, banks and bondholders compete with shareholders for management's attention. Companies with strong balance sheets don't have to worry about the distraction of debt.

Moneymaking opportunities. Return on equity helps measure how well a company is finding opportunities to turn its resources into profitable business endeavors.

Valuation. You can't afford to pay too much for even the best companies. By using normalized figures, you can see how a stock's simple earnings multiple fits into a longer-term context.

Dividends. For tangible proof of profits, a check to shareholders every three months can't be beat. Companies with solid dividends and strong commitments to increasing payouts treat shareholders well.

With those factors in mind, let's take a closer look at lululemon athletica.

What has sent shares falling recently, though, is the combination of sky-high multiples and fears that Lululemon's high growth rates are starting to slow. In its earnings report last week, Lululemon reported 31% higher revenue for the quarter and a profit gain of nearly 50%, beating analysts' expectations and capping a 2012 that saw sales rise nearly 37% and the bottom line grow 47%. Yet shares tanked after the company recalled some of its yoga-pant lines because of quality-control issues. Moreover, with Lululemon having to cut its 2013 guidance in light of the recall, it looks like growth will slow down considerably this year.

The real question that Lululemon faces now is whether competitors will be able to swoop in and take advantage of its miscues. Gap's Athleta line of stores, which sell yoga and other athletic apparel, has played a key part in the retailer's comeback in 2012, and Gap has plenty of capacity to expand further. Meanwhile, Nike has used its marketing muscle to bring in yoga representatives of its own to support its competing lines.

Given these problems, it will be tough for Lululemon to get much closer to perfection than it already is. In fact, if sales and earnings start to stagnate, Lululemon could end up losing ground in the years to come.

Keep searchingNo stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfect than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you'll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate out the best investments from the rest.

Lululemon has the potential to grow its sales by 10 times if it can get through its recent recall debacle. Find out how Lululemon can bounce back by reading our premium research report on the yoga retailer. Thousands have already claimed their own premium ticker coverage, and you can gain instant access to your own by clicking here now.

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